Following a series of security measures decided on Tuesday night after a wave of three bloody terror attacks, Construction Minister Yoav Galant (Kulanu) on Wednesday morning said that Israel should not tighten down on the general Palestinian population.
"We can in no way be in a situation in which the entire population is guilty," the former IDF Chief of Staff told Army Radio.
"We have to enable a life of prosperity to those who are not involved in terror. We need to enable them more."
According to Galant's argument, Palestinian economic prosperity is an Israeli interest, as he apparently posits that terror is driven by a lack of economic means - even though a large number of Arab terrorists have used their place of gainful employment to launch attacks.
"A prosperous Palestinian economy is an Israeli security interest," claimed Galant.
Galant's position stating that the Arab population is "not guilty" echoes statements made by other members of the government, including Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) who in January said not to blame the Arab public, adding, "I turn the accusing finger on us."
Due to the recent uptick in attacks, Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) on Tuesday said he would submit a bill to the Knesset that would allow the expulsion of families of terrorists to Gaza or Syria.
"We are in the height of a war against an ISIS-like terrorist assault by radical Islam," said Katz. "We need to understand that this 'lone-wolf' terror which is not based on additional intelligence information obligates other deterrent and preventative steps."
Katz also called to advance a law against Palestinian Arabs illegally entering sovereign Israeli territory from Judea and Samaria, as well as those who illegally employ them.
"We are in an emergency situation. There are murderers here motivated by hate and we are not ready for Jews to continue being harmed. This is an intifada of incitement. We must create deterrence and I ask all the bleeding heart liberals who come and preach morals to understand where we are at today," he said.